van meter



Sept. 10, 1929. J. w. VAN METER METHOD FOR UNDERGROUND ANIMAL EXTERMINATION Original Filed June 9. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet Sept. 10, 1929. J. w. VAN METER METHOD FOR UNDERGROUND ANIMAL EXTERMINATION Original Filed June 9, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ("Urumqi Patented Sept. 10, 192.9.

a .saa m JAMES "W. VAN 9F SAN RAFAllL GALIFOENIA.

METHOD FOE UNDERGRO'UZID ANIMAL EKTERMINATIUN.

The present invention is an improved method for underground animal extermination.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a method for generating poison gas and causing it to traverse a burrow or underground passage to the innermost passages or recesses thereof. I accomplish this by creating a gas within a previously prepared cartridge and by introducing; said gas to one entrance to the passage from a cartridge with in a tube which is spaced from a sun rouudino; tube in a manner adapted to tori an air space open at both ends between the tubes.

With the apparatus hereinafter described the entire operation by both operators can be carried on without either operator handling or coming in direct contact with the deadly agents used.

A. distinct advantage of my method lies in the .f that the gas used is formed by the action of one chemical upon another and, by the ingenious arrangement 0t parts, the caris so placed that the chemical combion llfitifi y to liberate takes place the cartridge has been placed in the ice of the burrow and after the has liberated, the dischz: god cartridge l from a distance and all poisonlue drops in the burrow underground amording protection to life above ground.

7 The present invention is a division of my copeudinp; application tor Letters Patent oi the United States Serial No. 476 111, filed June 9, 1921, patented January 10 1922 Patent No. 1,403A61.

in the accompanying inggs:

Figure 1 a central section of two tubes spaced apart in fix d co-aXial relation.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an opposite end elevation. of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section of a fragment of earth showing a rodents burrow and con'nnunicating chambers, illustrating my method of extermination.

Figure '5 is a side elevation partly in sect in two sheets of draw- 4o Divided and this application filed. December tion of a socket handle for removably engag inoone end of a cartridge.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of earth in section showing the entrance of a burrow and illustrating the method of preparthe same for my extermination operation.

Figure *5 is a View similar to Figure 6 showing; my method of disengaging the cartridge and thereafter retrieving the apparatus for repeated operation.

Referring; to the drawings, Figure 1, the numeral. 1 indicates a tube, and 2 a parallel inner tube spaced from tube 1 by radially disposed spacers 3.

A. combustible chemical cartridge 1 fits loosely in the tube 2 and will drop therethrough when the tube is in a vertical position.

In carrying out my method of animal extermination, I insertthe tube 1 in a hole in the ground as indicated in Figure 4, camping the ground as indicated at 6.

hty apparatus is particularly adapted to operation on a large scale. In field work one operator locates the holes and places a tube 1 in the entrance of the burrow tamping the ground around same. An operator han dlingg the chemical apparatus to be later described itollows up and discharges cartridges in the prepared holes and thus effectively exteiminates pests Without one operator losing; time awaiting the preparation by the otheiix The contents of the cartridge 4: are combustible and adapted to liberate fumes or gases which for the purposes of this specification. are termed secondary gases, when acted upon by a primary gas such as chlorine. Attention is called to my co-pending applications for patents filed June 15., 1920. Eerial No. 389,509, patented December 13, 1921, Patent No. 1,399,829; filed August 31, 1920, Serial No. 407,073, patented dune 18 1922, Patent No. 1,419,653; and filed April 11 1921, Serial No. 46%523, patented December 21., 1921, Patent No. 1,401,293.

For the purpose of illustration, assume that chlorine under pressure .is in a cylinder 6. It valve 7 thereon be opened the chlorine finds its way through a hose 8 terminating in a socket 9 engaging the cartridge 4:. As both ends of the cartridge 4: are alike I show one end in central section in Figure 1.

The cartridge is closed at both ends by wads 10 having apertures 11 therein normally closed by partitions 12 of thin material, such as paper, which is adapted to be easily ruptured before the cartridge is inserted in the tube 2 and is so ruptured.

The shell of the cartridge is preferably of paper and is crimped inwardly as shown at 13 to engage the wads 10. A small quantt ty 1 1 of excelsior or other suitable filler is placed against the wads 10 to form an easily compressible packing which is combustible and forms a non-poisonous cushion which prevents contamination of a puncturing tool used to open the cartridge when same is inserted in tube 2.

The central portion of the cartridge 4 is filled with sawdust particles 16 whi h in themselves contain moisture and intermingled therewith are metallic particles adapted, when contan'iiinated with chlorine in the presence of the moi 111 to set up an intense chemical combustion. I prefer to impregnate the sawdust with creosote to insure proper distribution throughv the sawdust of the metallic particles and (3.1 .so adherence of same.

In Figure 4 I show a subterranean passage 18 representing a ground squirrels burrow leading to a nest 19, and provided with a rear outlet 21. I also show a storage compartment 22 in which the animals have de posited a supply of food as shown at 23.

In carrying out my method o't animal extermination an operator inserts a tube 1 in the entrance of a burrow 18 as shown in Figures 1 and 6 tamping the ground as indicated at 16. The tube 1 has attached thereto a chain 24 the opposite end of which is secured to an eye in a staff 27 adapted to penetrate the ground and support a flag 28.

When the holes have been thus prepared an operator carrying a chlorine tank 6. directed by the flag 28, advances and places a cartridge 4.- in socket 9, as shown in Figure 6, and inserts the cartridge in tube 2 where it is suspended by the socket 9 which rests against the upper end of the tube.

The valve 7 is now opened and chlorine under pressure traverses tube 8 and enters the cartridge l, the ends of which have been ruptured at 11, and this sets up a combustion throwing down a secondary gas, as indicated at 29. Air enters the spaces B between the tubes and the heavy gas emanating will roll down the burrow and entirely fill the chambers 19 and 22 and will kill all the animals and at the same time poison thoroughly all food stored in the passages. Such gas expands as it is generated and is directed by the cartridge from which it issues and hence .traverses the burrow from end to end. Owing to the arrangement of the cartridge in the outer tube so that an air passage is formed through the latter, air is supplied to the burrow simultaneously with the generation of the secondary gas, by the suction caused by the latter, thus avoiding the formation of a partial vacuum behind the secondary gas and a consequent retardation of such gas. Moreover, the air thus sucked into the burrow by the secondgas dilutes the gas and increases its volume without seriously diminishing its poisonous etficiency. This also enables an economy in the use of the chlorine to be effected.

After a suitable predetermined amount of chlorine has been released from the container 6 and the cartridge content consumed, which occurs in a very short space of time, the valve 7 closed.

It is now of the utmost importance to dispose of all poisonous residue and retrieve the tube 1 for another operation. The operir first pulls on the tube 8 as shown in 'e 7, the pull being exerted "from a ion angular to the tube and adapted the socket 9 from the upper end f the cartridge 1 which is held within the ubc 2. As soon as the socket separates from wridgc the cartridge drops of its own it sown the hole. The operator now L chain 24 from an angular direction which draws the tube from the ground and then ramps the entrance of the burrow 18.

It will be seen that the cartridge has been tllzvClilLlfjGil and buried and the apparatus recovered without the operator having come in contact with dangerous parts or at any time being in close proximity to the poisonous elements or emanations.

In Figure 5 I show the socket 9, and at 31 I indicate a taper bore to form a force lit with the end of cartridge 4. It will be seen that my cartridge, Figure 1, is braced crosswise of the wads 10 to resist any tendency to collapse when thus engaged by socket 9, while the machine made crimp 13 secures the protector 12 and insures against tampering witln unloading or reloading of the cartridge by unscrupulous persons.

Having thus described my invention I claim The method of destroying animal lite in a burrow, consisting in placing reactive material in the burrow which when acted upon by chlorine generates a secondary poisonous and smoke, and supplying such chlorine to such material to cause such secondary gas and smoke to be generated and to expand throughout the burrow and issue from the connected entrances thereof.

In witness whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES W. VAN METER. 

